Egg London Podcast 008 - Franck Roger Egg London Podcast

The Paris underground scene has given rise to some of the biggest names in dance music across the board; Daft Punk, Laurent Garnier, Dimitri From Paris, Ivan Smagghe, Jeremy Underground Paris and DJ Mehdi to name a few. Right at the top of this very talented pile lies Franck Roger, a man dedicated to old school house whilst still pushing things forward.A staunch supporter of vinyl, his sets have won him support around the world, and earned him recognition from those artists that originally inspired him to become a musician. His love of the old school does not only lay in the music and the format in which he plays on, but also his use of analog equipment during his special live sets.A multi-talented individual certainly, not only a producer / DJ, but also label boss, with his imprint Real Tone Records putting out releases from the likes of Maya Jane Coles, The Martinez Brothers, Shonky, Burnski and M A N I K. His new label, Home Invasion, is set to be a vinyl only label, with a real emphasis on the releases being collectors items. Again drawing inspiration from the past, the label is set to take on his major musical influences whilst still having a modern twist.
We caught up with ever cool Parisian ahead of his gig at Egg Presents on Friday 9th May alongside the Decay Records camp with Sascha Dive, Gavin Herlihy and more.
Where, how and on what was the mix recorded?
The mix has been recorded at home where all my records and studio is. This is where I feel the most comfortable and able to create a mix that I am happy with. I used two mk2 turntables, 2 cdj's and a wonderfull DJR 400 that I have had for 8 years now and that i love to play with. It's recorded live without any playlist in mind which is how I feel the best, no pressure, just a the feeling of the moment and that's also my vision of djing at home or in a club, keeping it live and real.The Parisian underground scene has given rise to some fantastic artists and some very influential movements in Electronic Music. Laurent Garnier with his distinctive 'French Techno' sound, then Daft Punk, Alan Braxe and Cassius were instrumental in what was labelled 'French House' by the media. Meanwhile Mr. Oizo & Ivan Smagghe,  amongst others, played their part in the evolution of 'Electro House' and acts such as Jef K, D'Julz & Jeremy Underground Paris have been instigating a classicist House revival for many years now.  You've been there from the start witnessing, and being a part of it all since day one. What effect has this musically rich city had on you as a person, performer and musician?All the names you mention here take a lot of influence from a special musical era which existed in the US and it is the same for me too. French producers gave their 'special treatment' with a classy touch of course. I think we can talk also about St Germain and Shazz here. Paris is a city with tons of talented dj's and producers and it also influences all of us in a crazy race of production, especially today with all the Parisian labels that do only vinyl for most of them, we all have respect for each other and provide one another with energy and inspiration. If i lived out of Paris i would have followed a different path with my music for sure.How would you describe your sound as a DJ and also as producer?My sounds as a dj and producer is an instant sound, instant in the moment, just a feeling as a dj when you have a good crowd you wanna give them all you have, so the moments can be magic, in the studio the approach is different, you're all alone with you're machines, so you need to project yourself in another dimension, imagine how the record will be received once played in a club. My sounds are mostly old skool in the studio and even the way i play, i keep it raw, no time to sleep behind the decks, that's how I feel it. You’re known for your love of 'old school' house music, how did you first discover it?
I first heard what we now call 'old school' hou(continued)